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Vim's Netrw Ex Commands and Functions

Table of Contents

Netrw Ex Commands

Netrw Directory Browsing

All of the directory browsing commands can take no arguments, direcory names, or patterns (netrw-starstar).

:Explore[!]  / :Ex[!]  " Explore directory of current file  
:Hexplore[!] / :Hex[!] " Horizontal Split & Explore  
:Lexplore[!] / :Lex[!] " Left Explorer Toggle  
:Sexplore[!] / :Sex[!] " Split&Explore current file's directory  
:Vexplore[!] / :Vex[!] " Vertical Split & Explore  
:Texplore    / :Tex    " Tab & Explore  
:Rexplore    / :Rex    " Return to/from Explorer

Patterns can be: 

:Ex */filepat    # Current direcory.
:Ex **/filepat   # Recursive from current direcory.
:Ex *//pattern   # Current direcory. Uses vimgrep.
:Ex **//pattern  # Recursive. Uses vimgrep.

Using a pattern will add all matches to the Argument List.
If there are files in the Argument List, these commands become available too:
* :Nexplore[!] / :Nex[!]: Go to the next file in argument list.
* Can use Shift + Up if supported. * :Pexplore[!] / :Pex[!]: Go to the previous file in argument list.
* Can use Shift + Down if supported.

The optional bang ([!]) can be used to switch which side the netrw window is opened. Note: Using a bang ! is not available for :Texplore or :Rexplore.
By default:

Command Side
:Sex Top
:Hex! Top
:Hex Bottom
:Sex! Left
:Vex Left
:Lex Left
:Vex! Right
:Lex! Right(1)
:Tex New Tab
:Rex Return to/from Explorer(2)
1. :Lex! is used for <Plug>NetrwShrink.
2. :Rex can be used when using :Ex (full-window netrw)

Netrw Functions

Not necessarily a function. It's a <Plug> keycode. 

nnoremap <silent> <leader>ns <Plug>NetrwShrink


call netrw_gitignore#Hide()
" Example: Git-ignored files are hidden in Netrw.
let g:netrw_list_hide=netrw_gitignore#Hide()
" Example: Function can take additional files with git-ignore patterns.
let g:netrw_list_hide=netrw_gitignore#Hide('my_gitignore_file')
" Example: Combining 'netrw_gitignore#Hide' with custom patterns.
let g:netrw_list_hide=netrw_gitignore#Hide() . '.*\.swp$'

call emenu File.Exit

Netrw-Associated Variables

Variables associated with Netrw.
The behavior of Netrw can be changed by modifying these variables.

Browsing Variables

  • g:netrw_keepdir
  • g:netrw_browse_split
  • g:netrw_fastbrowse
  • g:netrw_ftp_browse_reject
  • g:netrw_ftp_list_cmd
  • g:netrw_ftp_sizelist_cmd
  • g:netrw_ftp_timelist_cmd
  • g:netrw_list_cmd
  • g:netrw_liststyle

Style Variables

  • g:netrw_menu

    • 0 = disable netrw's menu
    • 1 = (default) netrw's menu enabled

  • g:netrw_bufsettings

    • The settings that netrw buffers have
    • Default: noma nomod nonu nowrap ro nobl

  • g:netrw_preview

    • 0 = (default) preview window shown in a horizontally split window
    • 1 = preview window shown in a vertically split window.

  • g:netrw_chgwin

    • Specifies a window number where subsequent file edits will take place.

Other Variables

  • g:Netrw_UserMaps
    • Specifies a function or List of functions which can be used to set up user-specified maps and functionality.